Everyone wants to know about the money when it comes to accepting a job offer. However, unfortunately, there isn’t always wiggle room to negotiate your salary. Are you facing an opportunity with a new company, or maybe you’ve been offered a promotion with your existing employer, but they’re not offering as much cash as you hoped? According to a Monster poll, 42% of employers say employee salary expectations increased significantly.

There are many different factors that can impact why an employer is unable or unwilling to meet these higher expectations, but if you don’t want to concede or walk away from an otherwise great offer, you’ll have to be flexible in what to negotiate in a job offer outside salary. In this article we show you how to look beyond the dollar sign when negotiating.

What to Negotiate in a Job Offer

If you’ve ever asked “How much are benefits worth in my salary?”, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has the answer. According to their research, employee benefits for full time workers make up an average 31% of total compensation costs for employers. The benefits included in these costs are varying and plentiful.

So, what can you negotiate in a job offer beyond salary? After all, 51% of employees are happy to accept improved well-being at work over a salary increase.

More Time Off

One of the most popular things to negotiate for is more time off. Often, employers would much rather be flexible on vacation time than on things like 401(k) matches, which are harder to customize for individual employees.

There is no law regarding the number of PTO days you are entitled to, instead this depends on your company. However, the average is ten days paid holiday per year. If you feel that your worth is not being recognized with the salary on offer, negotiating PTO is an ideal way to essentially gain more financial reward. You could even ask for unlimited PTO.

How to Negotiate More Vacation Time

Having more vacation time doesn’t cost your employer anything extra but it does mean that you’re essentially paid more money for the work you do, since you’re spending less days overall doing it. When entering this negotiation make sure that you:

  • Are clear on the amount of extra PTO you want – be reasonable and back it up with a rational argument.
  • If you had more PTO time at your previous job – you can reference this as your reasoning since no one wants to size down on their benefits.
  • Use your level of experience to back up your request – there may be other employees at your new company with the same level of experience who receive more PTO due only to their longevity.

Job Title

Negotiating job title is a meaningful step to take because it boosts your resume in the eyes of future employers (who might offer you that higher salary you really want) and clearly demonstrates to your current boss the value you bring. Like all other things to negotiate in a job offer, make sure you come to the table prepared.

Have a couple of suggestions ready for negotiations. Remember to back up your desired title by showing the extra value you bring to the position. For example, instead of receptionist you could ask to be a corporate executive assistant.

Explain that your responsibilities go far beyond answering phones and managing incoming mail. Reiterate that corporate executive assistant is a much more fitting title for your tasks of personally managing a senior partner’s diary, booking travel and organizing reports and documents.

Allowances and Reimbursements

Clothing allowances, transportation reimbursements, and other subsidies can help take the edge off unavoidable expenses related to doing your job. If your new employer expects a certain image to be presented through a dress code, or requires you to network extensively, costs add up – especially if you’re on a strict budget thanks to your lower salary.

When it comes to what to negotiate in a job offer, it’s completely reasonable to ask for financial support to fulfil the requirements of the job. Although they may be large expenses for you, to the company they are periodic small costs, which they should be much happier to agree to than a large boost in your pay.

Flexible Working

Hoping to work from home part time or work flexible hours? Now is the time to ask. When it comes to job incentives, 49% and 45% of workers expect more flexibility in where and when they work respectively. The good news is that 53% of managers understand that flexible work options help them retain talent, so they should be happy to agree.

As always, when negotiating benefits make sure you have a clear argument to persuade your employer. Make the case that working from home helps you cut down on expensive commuting costs, or that working around your kids’ school hours helps you save on childcare bills that you can’t manage without a higher salary. And, for the company, you can work with less distractions than in an open plan office.

Relocation Packages

What to include in a job offer that requires you to uproot your life and move to another location involves negotiating a relocation package. This could include covering the costs of moving including any temporary lodgings, job search assistance for your spouse and assistance in selling your house.

Keep in mind that although everything is negotiable, your employer is more inclined to agree to with your asks if they benefit the company as well. For example, “I will be able to work longer hours and be more productive from the start if I can get a few important matters settled quickly.”

Specify your request by calculating the approximated costs and present the estimate to the hiring manager. Once you and the company have settled on your relocation expenses, make sure to get your agreement in writing.

A Signing Bonus

Learning how to negotiate a signing bonus is an important part of knowing what to negotiate in a job offer. This option will help you offset a lower salary offer by bolstering your initial pay. Although the salary range might be fixed for your prospective position, you may be able to nab more money by negotiating for a signing bonus.

This means that you are paid a lump sum upfront or after you meet certain criteria. Senior employees can expect an average signing bonus to be in the range of $10,000 to over $50,000. Lower-level workers could ask for a signing bonuses below $5,000.

Equipment Upgrades

Still working on a computer that takes up half your desk, has a few keys missing from the keyboard, and some outdated software programs that take f-o-r-e-v-e-r to load? Compared to a raise, an investment in new technology might seem more affordable to an employer.

If your position requires certain software or for you to be on call at all times, your employer may be open to providing you with upgrades and a company cell phone. If you’ve managed to negotiate that work from home perk, this ask is especially important.

Ongoing Training and Education

Getting your employer to invest in your education can be a good way to augment your salary. Negotiate having your employer pay for you to attend workshops, seminars or trainings, online classes, or to provide education reimbursements.

Although it won’t reflect in your paycheck, taking a job where you can develop your skill set can pay off in the long run. Requesting opportunities for advancement signals your dedication to doing well and grow professionally within the company, which makes the possibility of a salary increase in the future less risky for your employer.

More Benefits Negotiation Tips

If you don’t ask, you don’t get. Here are a few more tips about what to negotiate in a job offer when salary isn’t an option:

  • Consider your needs and wants well in advance, and figure out how to balance them, so you won’t be tempted to accept an offer that doesn’t meet your requirements.
  • Remember your bargaining power is at its peak after the offer is made and before you accept. At this point, the company is convinced you’re the one they want for the job, so they may be more flexible.
  • Start with the assumption that everything is negotiable. It’s not, but you’ll find out soon enough where the give is.

Take the First Step to Negotiating a New Offer

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Elizabeth Muenzen Career Advice Writer

Elizabeth Muenzen is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches who empowers job seekers to take control of their career paths using Monster’s comprehensive job search and resume tools.

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